U.S. patent application number 14/009700 was filed with the patent office on 2014-07-03 for jack for disaster relief.
This patent application is currently assigned to NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCE INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. The applicant listed for this patent is Shuichi Ino, Mitsuru Sato, Shinichi Yoshimura. Invention is credited to Shuichi Ino, Mitsuru Sato, Shinichi Yoshimura.
Application Number | 20140183430 14/009700 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46968696 |
Filed Date | 2014-07-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140183430 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ino; Shuichi ; et
al. |
July 3, 2014 |
JACK FOR DISASTER RELIEF
Abstract
A jack for disaster relief includes a hydrogen gas supply
structure for heating a hydrogen absorbing alloy by means of a heat
source and supplying a hydrogen gas absorbed in the hydrogen
absorbing alloy, and an operation structure to be extended by a
pressure of the hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen gas supply
structure, to carry out an operation for lifting an object to be
jacked up. The operation structure includes an operation base and a
jack portion having an operation space sealed therein. The jack
portion is configured to be extensible between a standby posture in
which a pushup portion is stored and an extension posture in which
the pushup portion is protruded upward from the operation base, and
the whole operation structure can be held in a flat shape in a
state in which the jack portion is retracted into the standby
posture.
Inventors: |
Ino; Shuichi; (Ibaraki,
JP) ; Sato; Mitsuru; (Ibaraki, JP) ;
Yoshimura; Shinichi; (Osaka, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ino; Shuichi
Sato; Mitsuru
Yoshimura; Shinichi |
Ibaraki
Ibaraki
Osaka |
|
JP
JP
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCE
INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Tokyo
JP
ASUKA ELECTRIC CO.LTD.
Osaka
JP
|
Family ID: |
46968696 |
Appl. No.: |
14/009700 |
Filed: |
April 4, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
April 4, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2011/002008 |
371 Date: |
February 14, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
254/93R |
Current CPC
Class: |
B66F 3/35 20130101; B66F
3/28 20130101; F15B 15/16 20130101; B66F 3/247 20130101; B66F 3/25
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
254/93.R |
International
Class: |
B66F 3/25 20060101
B66F003/25 |
Claims
1. A jack for disaster relief comprising: a hydrogen gas supply
structure for heating a hydrogen absorbing alloy by means of a heat
source and supplying a hydrogen gas absorbed in the hydrogen
absorbing alloy; and an operation structure to be extended by a
pressure of the hydrogen gas supplied from the hydrogen gas supply
structure, to carry out an operation for lifting an object to be
jacked up, wherein the operation structure includes an operation
base to be mounted on an installation surface and a jack portion
assembled into the operation base and having an operation space
sealed therein, the jack portion is configured to be extensible
between a standby posture in which a pushup portion provided on an
upper end thereof is stored in the vicinity of the operation base
and an extension posture in which the pushup portion is protruded
upward from the operation base, and the whole operation structure
can be held in a flat shape in a state in which the jack portion is
retracted into the standby posture.
2. The jack for disaster relief according to claim 1, wherein the
jack portion is configured to be extensible by assembling a
plurality of vertically slidable extensible cylinders like
multistage cylinders, and the hydrogen gas supplied from the
hydrogen gas supply structure is fed to the operation space,
thereby capable of switching the jack portion from the standby
posture to the extension posture.
3. The jack for disaster relief according to claim 2, wherein a
bellows for dividing the operation space is accommodated in the
jack portion, and the bellows is disposed between the extensible
cylinder positioned in an uppermost stage and the operation
base.
4. The jack for disaster relief according to claim 1, wherein the
operation structure is configured by the jack portion formed by
either the extensible bellows or a diaphragm, a plate material
fixed to the upper end of the jack portion and forming the pushup
portion, and the operation base fixed to a lower end of the jack
portion.
5. The jack for disaster relief according to claim 2, wherein the
operation space is provided with an extensible guide structure for
regulating tilt of the jack portion while following an operation
for extending/contracting the jack portion.
6. The jack for disaster relief according to claim 1, wherein the
operation base is formed like an upward opened plate, and the whole
jack portion retracted into the standby posture can be stored in
the operation base.
7. The jack for disaster relief according to claim 1, wherein the
hydrogen gas supply structure is disposed in the operation
base.
8. The jack for disaster relief according to claim 1, wherein a
heat source of the hydrogen gas supply structure is configured by
one of electric heat of a heater using a battery as a driving
source, combustion heat of a solid fuel, hydration heat of a quick
lime and combustion heat of a combustible scrap material in a
disaster area.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a portable jack for
disaster relief which is used for rescuing victims buried under
buildings collapsed by disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons,
or buried alive in a collapsed ground.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Referring to the jack according to the present invention,
the actuator described in Patent Document 1 is well-known.
According to Patent Document 1, a powdery metal hydride and a
filter are disposed in an operation chamber divided by a cylinder
and a piston, and the metal hydride is heated by a Peltier element
to discharge a hydrogen gas absorbed in the metal hydride in the
operation chamber so that a piston rod can be advanced. Moreover, a
current having a reverse potential to that in the heating is
supplied to the Peltier element to cool the metal hydride.
Consequently, the hydrogen gas is adsorbed in the metal hydride so
that the piston rod can leave/enter an inner part of the
cylinder.
[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a jack for a car which utilizes
a hydrogen absorbing alloy. According to Patent Document 2, the
jack is configured by a hydrogen discharge and supply body which
takes a shape of a sealing container and includes the hydrogen
absorbing alloy and a filter, and a fluid pressure cylinder. The
hydrogen discharge and supply body and an operation chamber for the
fluid pressure cylinder are connected to each other through a
pressure hose, and the hydrogen discharge and supply body is heated
in close contact with an external surface of a muffler of a car to
discharge a hydrogen gas absorbed in the hydrogen absorbing alloy,
thereby operating the fluid pressure cylinder. Thus, it is possible
to carry out jack up. By removing the hydrogen discharge and supply
body from the muffler of the car, moreover, it is possible to cool
the hydrogen absorbing alloy, thereby absorbing the hydrogen gas to
cause a piston rod of the fluid pressure cylinder to leave/enter an
inner part of the cylinder.
[0004] Patent Document 3 also discloses a jack to be operated by
utilizing heat of an exhaust gas of a car. According to Patent
Document 3, an operation chamber is divided by a base cylinder and
an up-down cylinder to be moved up and down with respect to the
base cylinder, and a hydrogen absorbing alloy and a filter are
disposed in the operation chamber. The base cylinder is surrounded
by a gas jacket, and the exhaust gas of the car is fed to the gas
jacket through a heat-resistant hose, thereby discharging a
hydrogen gas absorbed in the hydrogen absorbing alloy to advance
the up-down cylinder from the base cylinder. Thus, it is possible
to carry out jack up.
PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS
Patent Documents
[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No.
Sho 61-270505 (page 2, Left and Lower Column, Lines 1 to 18, FIG.
1) [0006] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication
No. Hei 02-095697 (page 2, Left and Lower Column, Lines 5 to 20,
FIG. 1) [0007] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Laid-open
Publication No. Hei 04-356259 (paragraph 0007, FIG. 1)
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0008] The actuator disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires
supplying a direct current in order to drive the Peltier element,
and cannot be used on a site in which power supply is blocked such
as an earthquake disaster site and a typhoon disaster site.
Similarly, the jacks disposed in Patent Documents 2 and 3 each heat
the hydrogen absorbing alloy by using the exhaust gas of the car as
a heat source. For this reason, they cannot be used in the case in
which a fuel of an engine is not available. At a narrow disaster
site that the car cannot enter, furthermore, it is impossible to
operate the jack. Moreover, a jack having a fluid pressure cylinder
structure including a piston and a cylinder as components cannot be
installed if there is no installation space corresponding to at
least a total length of the cylinder. This is because, in a
situation in which victims buried under collapsed buildings are
rescued, a clearance formed under rubble to be lifted is small in
many cases and it is difficult to install the jack between the
rubble and the ground.
[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a jack
for disaster relief which can be used at a disaster site where
power or an engine fuel is difficult to acquire, can be carried and
transported on foot, and can be installed in a small clearance
formed under rubble.
Means for Solving the Problem
[0010] A jack for disaster relief according to the present
invention includes a hydrogen gas supply structure 2 for supplying
a hydrogen gas absorbed in a hydrogen absorbing alloy 22 by heating
the hydrogen absorbing alloy 22 using a heat source 23, and an
operation structure 1 to be extended by a pressure of the hydrogen
gas supplied from the hydrogen gas supply structure 2, to carry out
an operation for lifting an object to be jacked up. As shown in
FIG. 1, the operation structure 1 includes an operation base 3 to
be mounted on an installation surface and a jack portion 5
assembled into the operation base 3 and having an operation space 4
sealed therein. The jack portion 5 is configured to be extensible
between a standby posture in which a pushup portion 10 provided on
an upper end thereof is stored in the vicinity of the operation
base 3 and an extension posture in which the pushup portion 10 is
protruded upward from the operation base. The whole operation
structure 1 can be held in a flat shape in a state in which the
jack portion 5 is retracted into the standby posture (see FIG.
2).
[0011] The jack portion 5 is configured to be extensible by
assembling a plurality of vertically slidable extensible cylinders
6 to 9 like multistage cylinders. The hydrogen gas supplied from
the hydrogen gas supply structure 2 is fed to the operation space
4, thereby switching the jack portion 5 from the standby posture to
the extension posture.
[0012] As shown in FIG. 4, a bellows 33 for dividing the operation
space 4 is accommodated in the jack portion 5. The bellows 33 is
disposed between the extensible cylinder 9 positioned in an
uppermost stage and the operation base 3.
[0013] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the operation structure 1 is
configured by the jack portion 5 formed by either the extensible
bellows 33 or a diaphragm 34, a plate material fixed to the upper
end of the jack portion 5 and forming the pushup portion 10, and
the operation base 3 fixed to a lower end of the jack portion
5.
[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the operation space 4 is provided with
an extensible guide structure 15 for regulating tilt of the jack
portion 5 while following an operation for extending/contracting
the jack portion 5.
[0015] The operation base 3 is formed like an upward opened plate.
The whole jack portion 5 retracted into the standby posture can be
stored in the operation base 3 (see FIG. 2).
[0016] The hydrogen gas supply structure 2 is disposed in the
operation base 3 (see FIG. 1).
[0017] A heat source of the hydrogen gas supply structure 2 is
configured by one of electric heat of a heater 23 using a battery
25 as a driving source, combustion heat of a solid fuel 36,
hydration heat of a quick lime 37 and combustion heat of a
combustible scrap material in a disaster area.
Advantages of the Invention
[0018] In the present invention, the jack for disaster relief is
configured by the hydrogen gas supply structure 2 and the operation
structure 1 to be extended by a pressure of the hydrogen gas,
thereby carrying out an operation for lifting an object to be
jacked up. Moreover, the operation structure 1 is configured by the
operation base 3, the jack portion 5 having the operation space 4
sealed therein, and the like, and is obtained in such a manner that
the jack portion 5 can be extended and contracted between the
standby posture and the extension posture. Thus, the jack using the
hydrogen gas as a driving medium can be operated without problems
at a disaster site in which power or an engine fuel is difficult to
acquire or a narrow disaster site that a car cannot enter.
[0019] Moreover, the jack using the hydrogen gas as the driving
medium can output a considerably greater maximum pushup load as
compared with a mechanical screw jack or a pneumatic jack.
Therefore, it is possible to reliably lift a heavier object to be
jacked up such as rubble at a disaster site. In a state in which
the jack portion 5 is retracted into the standby posture,
furthermore, the whole operation structure 1 is held in a flat
shape. As compared with the conventional jack including a piston
and a cylinder as components, therefore, it is possible to store
the whole jack more compactly. Accordingly, it is possible to
easily carry and transport the jack on foot. In addition, the whole
operation structure 1 is stored in the flat shape in the standby
posture. Also in a situation in which only a small clearance is
formed under the rubble to be jacked up, therefore, it is possible
to reliably locate the jack, thereby lifting the rubble and the
like accurately. Thus, it is possible to provide a jack for
disaster relief which is wholly excellent in usability.
[0020] If the plurality of extensible cylinders 6 to 9 are
assembled like multistage cylinders to constitute the jack portion
5 to be extensible, it is possible to extend and contract the jack
portion 5 in a positive manner between the standby posture and the
extension posture by supplying the hydrogen gas to the operation
space 4 in the inner part of the jack portion 5. In other words, it
is possible to linearly extend and contract the jack portion 5 in a
state in which a middle part of the jack portion 5 is bent or the
great inclination of the whole body is eliminated. Accordingly, it
is possible to accurately lift the object to be jacked up in a
stable condition.
[0021] According to the jack in which the bellows 33 is
accommodated in the jack portion 5 and the inner part of the
bellows 33 is set to be the operation space 4, it is possible to
perform an operation for extending the jack portion 5 by supplying
the hydrogen gas into the bellows 33. As compared with the case in
which the entirely internal space of the jack portion 5 is set to
be the operation space 4, accordingly, it is possible to decrease
an amount of the hydrogen gas to be fed to the operation space 4.
It is possible to accurately extend the jack portion 5 while
supplying the hydrogen absorbed in the hydrogen absorbing alloy 22
in a non-waste state. Moreover, the whole hydrogen gas supplied to
the operation space 4 is held in the closed bellows 33. Even if the
jack portion 5 is inclined in the middle of the extension,
therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the hydrogen gas from
leaking out. Accordingly, it is possible to enhance reliability of
the jack for disaster relief. In addition, it is not necessary to
improve processing precision or sealing precision of each of the
extensible cylinders 6 to 9, and furthermore, to simplify a whole
structure, thereby reducing a cost required for manufacturing the
jack as compared with the case in which the extensible guide
structure 15 is provided.
[0022] According to the operation structure 1 obtained by the jack
portion 5 formed by either the extensible bellows 33 or the
diaphragm 34, the plate material constituting the pushup portion 10
and the operation base 3, it is possible to remarkably simplify the
jack structure. Moreover, the extensible jack portion 5 is
configured by either the bellows 33 or the diaphragm 34. As
compared with the jack portion 5 having a telescopic structure,
therefore, it is possible to remarkably reduce a weight of the
jack. Although it is possible to output the same pushup load as
that of the jack including the jack portion 5 having the telescopic
structure, therefore, it is possible to obtain a simple jack which
requires a lower total cost, can easily be carried and can be
handled readily.
[0023] According to the jack in which the extensible guide
structure 15 is provided in the operation space 4, it is possible
to regulate the tilt of the jack portion 5 in the extension and
contraction by means of the extensible guide structure 15.
Therefore, it is possible to accurately output the pushup load of
the jack portion 5 by regulating the extension of the jack portion
5 with an inclination in a variation in a load with respect to the
pushup portion 10. Moreover, the extensible guide structure 15 is
extended and contracted by following the extending and contracting
operations of the jack portion 5. Therefore, it is possible to
store the whole jack compactly in a state in which the standby
posture is taken, thereby carrying and transporting the jack easily
on foot and reducing a storage space.
[0024] When the hydrogen gas supply structure 2 is disposed in the
operation base 3, the operation structure 1 and the hydrogen gas
supply structure 2 can be integrated. As compared with the case in
which the operation structure 1 and the hydrogen gas supply
structure 2 are provided individually, therefore, it is possible to
carry or store the jack more simply and easily. In the case in
which the hydrogen gas supply structure 2 is disposed in the
operation base 3 in a state in which the hydrogen gas supply
structure 2 faces the operation space 4, moreover, it is possible
to decrease the amount of the hydrogen gas to be supplied to the
operation space 4 by the amount corresponding to a space occupied
by the hydrogen gas supply structure 2 in the operation space 4,
thereby utilizing the hydrogen gas effectively.
[0025] In the case in which electric heat of the heater 23 is used
as the heat source of the hydrogen gas supply structure 2, it is
possible to start the hydrogen absorbing alloy 22 to be heated
through a simple operation for changing over a switch. Therefore,
any person having no expert knowledge can also operate the jack to
attend a rescue activity. According to the hydrogen gas supply
structure 2 using, as a heat source, one of combustion heat of the
solid fuel 36, hydration heat of the quick lime 37 and combustion
heat of a combustible scrap material in a disaster area, it is
possible to simplify the storage management of the jack for
disaster relief. In the case in which the electric heat of the
heater 23 is used as the heat source, it is necessary to prepare
for a disaster while periodically confirming the charging state of
the battery 25. In the case of the solid fuel 36 and the quick lime
37, however, provided that a storage state is excellent, the solid
fuel 36 and the quick lime 37 can be used without problems even if
a storage period is long.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a jack for disaster
relief according to a first embodiment.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a state in which a jack
portion is brought into a flat standby posture.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a jack for disaster
relief according to a second embodiment.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a jack for disaster
relief according to a third embodiment.
[0030] FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a jack for disaster
relief according to a fourth embodiment.
[0031] FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a jack for disaster
relief according to a fifth embodiment.
[0032] FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a jack for disaster
relief according to a sixth embodiment.
EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
First Embodiment
[0033] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of a jack for disaster
relief according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, the jack for
disaster relief is configured by a main structure including an
operation structure 1 for carrying out an operation for lifting an
object to be jacked up and a hydrogen gas supply structure 2
disposed in the operation structure 1. The operation structure 1 is
configured by an operation base 3 to be mounted on an installation
surface, a jack portion 5 assembled into the operation base 3 and
having an operation space 4 sealed therein, and the like. The
operation base 3 is provided in a shape of a round plate opened
upward by a circular bottom wall and a cylindrical peripheral wall
linked to a peripheral edge of the bottom wall, and is formed by a
metallic material. A stopper wall 3a is protruded toward a
cylindrical internal surface at an open edge of the operation base
3.
[0034] The jack portion 5 is configured to be extensible by
assembling four vertical slidable metallic extensible cylinders 6
to 9 like multistage cylinders. Out of the respective extensible
cylinders 6 to 9, three lower extensible cylinders 6, 7 and 8 are
formed in a cylindrical shape, and stopper walls 6a, 7a and 8a are
formed on inner edges of upper ends of cylindrical walls,
respectively. The extensible cylinder 9 in an uppermost part is
formed in a shape of a round plate which is opened downward. The
operation space 4 is divided by the respective extensible cylinders
6 to 9 and the operation base 3 described above, and ring-shaped
sealing members 6b, 7b, 8b and 9b for preventing leakage of a
hydrogen gas are attached to peripheral surfaces of lower ends of
the extensible cylinders 6 to 9. Upper surfaces of the ring-shaped
walls to which the sealing members 6b, 7b, 8b and 9b are to be
attached are stopped and held by the stopper walls 3a, 6a, 7a and
8a.
[0035] The extensible cylinder 6 in a lowermost part are guided and
supported vertically slidably at a cylindrical internal surface of
the operation base 3, and the other extensible cylinders 7, 8 and 9
are guided and supported vertically slidably at cylindrical
internal surfaces of the extensible cylinders 6, 7 and 8
respectively located at lower stages of the extensible cylinders 7,
8 and 9. Consequently, the whole jack portion 5 is configured to
have a telescopic structure. The respective extensible cylinders 6
to 9 can be extended and contracted between an extension posture (a
posture shown in FIG. 1) in which they are slid upward and are
received by the stopper walls 3a, 6a, 7a and 8a and a standby
posture (shown in FIG. 2) in which the respective extensible
cylinders 6 to 9 are overlapped inside and outside.
[0036] In a state in which the jack portion 5 is set into the
standby posture, the respective extensible cylinders 6 to 9 can be
stored in the operation base 3. At this time, the jack for disaster
relief takes a shape of a flat disk and has a total height of 100
mm. The ceiling wall of the extensible cylinder 9 in the uppermost
part functions as a pushup portion 10 for carrying out an operation
for lifting an object to be jacked up such as rubble in a disaster
area. A diameter of an internal surface of the extensible cylinder
9 in the uppermost part is set to be 250 mm, an outside diameter of
the operation base 3 is set to be 300 mm, an extension/contraction
stroke of the jack portion 5 is set to be approximately 32 mm, and
a volume in maximum extension of the operation space 4 is set to be
19000 cc. A total weight of the jack for disaster relief is 6.6 kg
and the jack portion 5 can be stored flatly in a state in which the
standby posture is taken. In the case in which an attempt to reach
the disaster area on foot is made, the jack can be carried and
transported in an accommodating state in a backpack together with
other rescue equipment such as a rope.
[0037] In order to regulate the tilt of each of the extensible
cylinders 6 to 9 while following the extending and contracting
operations of the jack portion 5, an extensible guide structure 15
is provided between the extensible cylinder 9 in the uppermost part
and the operation base 3. The extensible guide structure 15 is
configured by four guide cylinders 16 to 19 having upper and lower
surfaces which are opened and a guide shaft 20 fixed to a center of
an internal surface of the extensible cylinder 9 in an uppermost
part. The guide cylinder 16 in a lowermost part is fixed to a
center of the operation base 3.
[0038] The guide cylinders 17 to 19 extending upward are guided
vertically slidably by the guide cylinders 16 to 18 respectively
located at the lower stages of the guide cylinders 17 to 19, and
the guide shaft 20 is guided vertically slidably by the guide
cylinder 19 in the uppermost part. In order to smoothly carry out
the vertical sliding operations of the guide cylinders 17 to 19 and
the guide shaft 20, linear bushes 16a, 17a, 18a and 19a are fixed
to internal surfaces of upper ends of the guide cylinders 16 to 19.
Thus, the whole extensible guide structure 15 is formed to be the
telescopic structure. Ina state in which the jack portion 5 is
brought into the standby posture, the guide cylinders 17 to 19 and
the guide shaft 20 can be accommodated in the guide cylinder 16
fixed to the operation base 3.
[0039] The hydrogen gas supply structure 2 is configured by a
hydrogen absorbing alloy 22 and a heater (a heat source) 23, a
hydrogen absorbing chamber 24 for accommodating the hydrogen
absorbing alloy 22 and the heater 23 in an alternate stacking
state, a battery (a secondary battery) 25, an electromagnetic valve
27 for opening/closing an entrance 26 of the hydrogen absorbing
chamber 24, and the like. A push button type change-over switch is
provided on a peripheral surface of the operation base 3. When a
first button 28 is pressed, a current of the battery 25 is supplied
to the heater 23 so that the hydrogen absorbing alloy 22 can be
heated. When the pressing operation is carried out again, the
supply of the current to the battery 25 is blocked so that the
operation of the heater 23 can be stopped. When a second button 29
is pressed, moreover, the electromagnetic valve 27 is switched into
an open condition so that an inner part of the hydrogen absorbing
chamber 24 can be caused to communicate with the operation space 4.
When the pressing operation is carried out again, the
electromagnetic valve 27 is switched into a close condition so that
the communication condition of the inner part of the hydrogen
absorbing chamber 24 and the operation space 4 can be blocked.
[0040] The jack for disaster relief having the structure described
above is used in a disaster area in the following manner. First of
all, a mounting surface on a lower side of the object to be jacked
up is made flat and the operation base 3 is thus installed thereon.
At this time, if an interval between the object to be jacked up
such as rubble and the mounting surface is unnecessarily great,
lumber, a concrete block and the like are loaded on the mounting
surface and the operation base 3 is installed in an upper surface
thereof. Next, the first button 28 is pressed to operate the heater
23, and the hydrogen absorbing alloy 22 is thus heated to discharge
a hydrogen gas. At the same time, the first button 29 is pressed to
switch the electromagnetic valve 27 into the open condition,
thereby feeding the hydrogen gas discharged into the hydrogen
absorbing chamber 24 to the operation space 4 through the entrance
26 and the electromagnetic valve 27 to extend the jack portion
5.
[0041] When the hydrogen gas is fed into the operation space 4, the
extensible cylinder 9 on a center is first pushed out and moved
upward. When the extensible cylinder 9 is received by the stopper
wall 8a of the next extensible cylinder 8, furthermore, the
extensible cylinder 9 is moved upward together with the extensible
cylinder 8. In the same manner, the respective extensible cylinders
8 to 6 are moved upward in order together with the extensible
cylinder 9 in the uppermost part and the pushup portion 10 carries
out an operation for pushing up the object to be jacked up. When
the object to be jacked up is pushed up to a required height, the
first button 29 is pressed to stop a conduction state to the heater
23, and at the same time, the second button 29 is pressed to switch
the electromagnetic valve 27 into the close condition, thereby
blocking the entrance 26. Consequently, the hydrogen gas fed into
the operation space 4 is prevented from being adsorbed in the
hydrogen absorbing alloy 22 so that the jack portion 5 can be
continuously held in the extension posture. In this state, the
object to be jacked up is supported by a strut or a concrete block
to ensure safety, thereby rescuing victims pressed under rubble and
the like.
[0042] A state in which the jack portion 5 is extended to a maximum
extending position is detected by a sensor which is not shown, and
the conduction state to the heater 23 is stopped, and at the same
time, the electromagnetic valve 27 is switched into the close
condition to block the entrance 26, thereby holding the jack
portion 5 into the extension posture. In this state, the object to
be jacked up is subjected to fall prevention measures to ensure
safety, and the victims pressed under the rubble and the like are
rescued. After the victims are rescued, the strut or concrete block
supporting the object to be jacked up is removed and the second
button 29 is then pressed to switch the electromagnetic valve 27
into the open condition, thereby causing the hydrogen absorbing
chamber 24 to communicate with the operation space 4. Consequently,
the hydrogen gas is adsorbed onto the hydrogen absorbing alloy 22.
However, the hydrogen adsorbing reaction progresses slowly.
Therefore, the jack portion 5 is not rapidly moved downward but is
slowly retracted and stored in the operation base 3.
[0043] In this connection, a maximum pushup load of the jack is
proportional to the product of a pressure receiving area of the
extensible cylinder 9 in the uppermost stage and a pressure of the
hydrogen gas fed into the operation space 4. For example, in the
case in which the operation space 4 in a nonuse state is
approximately 1 atm, the pushup portion 10 of the extensible
cylinder 9 can exert a pushup force of approximately 0.52 t when
the hydrogen gas is supplied to raise the atmospheric pressure of
the operation space 4 to be 2 atm. When the atmospheric pressure of
the operation space 4 is raised to be 4 atm, moreover, the pushup
portion 10 of the extensible cylinder 9 can exert a pushup force of
approximately 1.5 t. Thus, the jack using the hydrogen gas as a
driving medium can output a considerably greater maximum pushup
load as compared with a mechanical screw jack or a pneumatic jack.
Therefore, it is possible to reliably lift a heavier object to be
jacked up at a disaster site, thereby contributing to the disaster
relief.
[0044] As the hydrogen absorbing alloy 22, it is possible to apply
a La--Ni system, a Ca--Ni.sub.5 system, a Mm--Ni system, a Ti--Fe
system or the like. In the Mm--Ni system, Mm is an alloy containing
a plurality of rare earths obtained by a rare earth generation
process. In the case in which the La--Ni based hydrogen absorbing
alloy 22 is used and the diameter of the internal surface of the
extensible cylinder 9 in the uppermost part is set to be 250 mm, a
weight of the hydrogen absorbing alloy 22 required for raising the
atmospheric pressure of the operation space 4 by 1 atm is
approximately 130 g.
[0045] As a matter of course, it is possible to use the jack for
disaster relief having the structure described above at a disaster
site where power or an engine fuel is difficult to acquire. In
addition, the object to be jacked up such as rubble having a great
weight can be pushed up to rescue victims pressed under the rubble
and the like. Moreover, the whole jack having a small total weight
and taking the standby posture can be held in a flat shape.
Therefore, it is possible to easily carry and transport the jack on
foot, and to reliably bring the jack into a disaster site that a
car cannot enter. Also in a situation in which a clearance formed
under the rubble is small, furthermore, it is possible to install
the jack without hindrance usefully for the disaster relief. By
simply carrying out the operation for switching the first and
second buttons 28 and 29, it is possible to push up the object to
be jacked up such as the rubble. When there is a shortage of people
who engage in the rescue work, therefore, ordinary people having no
expert knowledge can operate the jack, thereby carrying out the
rescue work.
Second Embodiment
[0046] FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the jack for disaster
relief according to the present invention. According to the second
embodiment, a hydrogen gas supply structure 2 is provided
separately from an operation structure 1, and a connecting port 31
provided on an operation base 3 and an electromagnetic valve 27 are
caused to communicate with each other through a gas passage 32.
Moreover, an inner part of a hydrogen absorbing chamber 24 is
divided into two chambers, and a battery 25 is disposed in one of
them and a hydrogen absorbing alloy 22 and a heater 23 are
accommodated in the other. A change-over switch is disposed on an
upper surface of a cover for sealing an open surface of the
hydrogen absorbing chamber 24. Since the other structures are the
same as those of the previous embodiment, the same members have the
same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.
The following embodiments will also be identical.
Third Embodiment
[0047] FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the jack for disaster
relief according to the present invention. According to the third
embodiment, a bellows 33 is accommodated in a jack portion 5, and
an operation space 4 is formed in the bellows 33. Moreover, a
hydrogen gas supply structure 2 is disposed in the operation space
4 divided by the bellows 33. The bellows 33 is formed in an
accordion shape by a laminate film having high hydrogen
airtightness or a polymeric material, and has an upper end fixed to
an internal surface of a pushup portion 10 of an extensible
cylinder 9 positioned in an uppermost stage and a lower end fixed
to an inner bottom wall of an operation base 3.
[0048] In the jacks described in the first and second embodiments,
there is a fear that the respective extensible cylinders 6 to 9
might be tilted and extended due to a deviation of a load with
respect to the pushup portion 10. In that case, there is a fear
that the sealing members 6a to 9a might cause a sealing failure,
resulting in leakage of the hydrogen gas in the operation space 4
to an outside. By constituting the jack portion 5 by the extensible
cylinders 6 to 9 taking the shape of multistage cylinders and the
bellows 33 as described above, however, it is possible to reliably
prevent the hydrogen gas from leaking out of the operation space 4
of the bellows 33 even if the respective sealing members 6a to 9a
cause the sealing failure. Moreover, the extensible guide structure
15 according to the previous embodiments can be omitted, and
furthermore, it is not necessary to enhance processing precision or
sealing precision of each of the extensible cylinders 6 to 9.
Therefore, it is possible to reduce a cost required for
manufacturing the jack as a whole.
Fourth Embodiment
[0049] FIG. 5 shows a fourth embodiment of the jack for disaster
relief according to the present invention. According to the fourth
embodiment, a jack portion 5 is configured by a bellows 33, and a
plate material is fixed to an upper end of the bellows 33 to form a
pushup portion 10. Moreover, a lower end of the bellows 33 is fixed
to a cover for sealing an open surface of a hydrogen absorbing
chamber 24, and an entrance 26 and an electromagnetic valve 27 are
disposed on a cover facing an operation space 4 in the bellows 33.
In the present embodiment, the hydrogen absorbing chamber 24 is
also used as an operation base 3, and the whole bellows 33 is
folded up and the pushup portion 10 provided on the upper end of
the bellows 33 is stored in the vicinity of the operation base 3 in
a state in which the jack portion 5 is brought into a standby
posture.
Fifth Embodiment
[0050] FIG. 6 shows a fifth embodiment of the jack for disaster
relief according to the present invention. According to the fifth
embodiment, a jack portion 5 is configured by a diaphragm 34, and a
plate material is fixed to an upper end of the diaphragm 34 to form
a pushup portion 10. Moreover, a plate material is fixed to a lower
end of the diaphragm 34 to form an operation base 3. A hydrogen gas
supply structure 2 is provided separately from an operation
structure 1, and an electromagnetic valve 27 and a connecting port
31 provided on the operation base 3 are caused to communicate with
each other through a gas passage 32. The diaphragm 34 is formed by
a laminate film having high hydrogen airtightness or a polymeric
material.
Sixth Embodiment
[0051] FIG. 7 shows a sixth embodiment of the jack for disaster
relief according to the present invention. According to the sixth
embodiment, as a heat source of a hydrogen gas supply structure 2,
it is possible to utilize either combustion heat of a solid fuel (a
heat source) 36 or hydration heat of a quick lime (a heat source)
37 and water 38. For this purpose, a heating container 39 for
accommodating the solid fuel 36 or the quick lime 37 and the water
38 is provided, and a concave portion 40 for loading the heating
container 39 is formed in an upward concave shape on a lower
surface at a center of an operation base 3. Moreover, a switching
valve 41 provided on an entrance 26 is changed over between an open
condition and a close condition by means of an operation rod 42
which can be pushed and pulled. The quick lime 37 and the water 38
are accommodated in the heating container 39 in a state in which
they are taken out of packaging bags. The combustion heat of the
solid fuel 36 and the hydration heat of the quick lime 37 and the
water 38 are conducted to a hydrogen absorbing alloy 22 through a
ceiling wall of the concave portion 40.
[0052] In addition to the embodiments described above, it is
possible to apply a pantograph structure as the extensible guide
structure 15. If necessary, it is possible to add the extensible
guide structure 15 into the operation chamber 4 of the jack
described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6. It is possible to apply
an air bag formed by a laminate film having high hydrogen
airtightness or a polymeric material in place of the bellows 33 and
the diaphragm 34.
[0053] The jack portion 5 can be configured by at least two
extensible cylinders. The hydrogen gas supplied from the operation
space 4 does not need to be adsorbed in the hydrogen absorbing
alloy 22 again but can be discharged into the air, thereby
retracting the jack portion 5. The change-over switch does not need
to have the structures described in the embodiments but it is
sufficient to employ any change-over switch capable of controlling
a conduction state to the heater 23 and the electromagnetic valve
27.
DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE SIGNS
[0054] 1: Operation structure [0055] 2: Hydrogen gas supply
structure [0056] 3: Operation base [0057] 4: Operation space [0058]
5: Jack portion [0059] 6 to 9: Extensible cylinder [0060] 10:
Pushup portion [0061] 15: Extensible guide structure [0062] 22:
Hydrogen absorbing alloy [0063] 23: Heater (heat source) [0064] 24:
Hydrogen absorbing chamber [0065] 25: Battery [0066] 26: Entrance
[0067] 27: Electromagnetic valve [0068] 33: Bellows
* * * * *